THE family of Welshman who died on a stag trip in Spain have paid tribute to a loving father and partner.

Stephen Storey, 47, died in Barcelona on February 3 while on a friend’s stag weekend.

He had travelled to the Catalan capital from his home in Neath, with brother-in-law David Brennan, 49, with plans to also watch Barcelona versus Athletico Madrid at the Nou Camp, but Stephen died on the break’s first night.

Stephen’s family has also spoken of their hurt at unfounded press reports that he died after a fight with his brother-in-law. While David was initially questioned by Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalonian police force, after they were called to reports of the death at Hotel Silken, near Barcelona’s famous Ramblas, he was quickly released.

Spanish authorities have since ruled that he died of natural causes.

A family member told Wales on Sunday: “We are now able to confirm that Stephen sadly died of heart disease on a short break in Barcelona, Spain. It has been confirmed that his death was of natural causes. As a family we were deeply hurt and disappointed at the unsubstantiated press reports published following Stephen’s death.

“Stephen was a loving father and partner.”

Stephen, originally from Liverpool, shared a home in Longford, Neath, with partner Clare Brennan, 42, just a few hundred yards from the homes of her brother David, and his wife Allison, and her father, also called David.